Brazil edged South Africa 1-0 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup to book a ticket to the showpiece finale on Sunday, when they will take on the United States.

Barcelona’s marauding wing-back, Dani Alves, was the hero of the night for the Copa America champions when he came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute before ripping in the winner from a free kick two minutes from time.

“I’m impressed with the goal that I scored today,” he said during the post-match interviews.

“I’m happy to get a chance to play and help the team. When you are on the bench, you always have an enormous desire to enter the game and today was one of those days.”

In regards to his free kick goal, Alves recounted, “I struck the ball really well but my team-mates also did their bit because they formed a really good distraction next to the wall and that disrupted the goalkeeper’s vision.”

The 26-year-old, however, was slightly disappointed that he won’t be able to go up against some of his club-mates and rivals from Spain, after they were eliminated by the USA in the other semi-final. But he admitted that the upset result has taught his Brazilian side a lesson.

“In a tournament like this, every team will have their chances,” he said. “Spain’s game last night served as a lesson for us before we took on South Africa, and it will also serve as a lesson for us ahead of Sunday’s final.”

Brazil edged South Africa 1-0 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup to book a ticket to the showpiece finale on Sunday, when they will take on the United States.

Barcelona’s marauding wing-back, Dani Alves, was the hero of the night for the Copa America champions when he came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute before ripping in the winner from a free kick two minutes from time.

“I’m impressed with the goal that I scored today,” he said during the post-match interviews.

“I’m happy to get a chance to play and help the team. When you are on the bench, you always have an enormous desire to enter the game and today was one of those days.”

In regards to his free kick goal, Alves recounted, “I struck the ball really well but my team-mates also did their bit because they formed a really good distraction next to the wall and that disrupted the goalkeeper’s vision.”

The 26-year-old, however, was slightly disappointed that he won’t be able to go up against some of his club-mates and rivals from Spain, after they were eliminated by the USA in the other semi-final. But he admitted that the upset result has taught his Brazilian side a lesson.

“In a tournament like this, every team will have their chances,” he said. “Spain’s game last night served as a lesson for us before we took on South Africa, and it will also serve as a lesson for us ahead of Sunday’s final.”